Veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, and his co accused Hajji Obeid Lutale have raised concern on receiving a fair trial after his defense team being targeted.
Besigye voiced the concerns before the High Court on Tuesday, shortly after Justice Emmanuel Baguma declined to temporarily stay proceedings in his human rights application against Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“Your honor am concerned, that our bail application has been fixed for hearing before we resolve the question of how we are represented, which is the matter that the esteemed counsel has referred to” he said,
He added, “As you realise very many of our members are not here and we can’t proceed in the absence which is the subject of an application that is before court that needs to be resolved, before the date for hearing the application”.
Besigye told court that lead counsel Martha Karua has been declared persona non grata in Uganda, while another lawyer, Erias Lukwago, was arrested and charged with misprision of treason.
However, Justice Baguma ruled that an emergency application concerning legal representation and the security of defence lawyers could not stop the court from proceeding with the human rights case.
The application before court arises from allegations that Gen. Muhoozi made public statements threatening Besigye and portraying him as guilty before the conclusion of criminal proceedings arising from treason-related charges.
However, Besigye said he will not appoint a new team and is demanding the reinstatement of both lawyers.
Justice Baguma ordered the applicants to file written submissions by July 2, the respondents to respond by July 4, and any rejoinder by July 6.
Justcie Bgauma set July 8th to deliver the ruling through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), which will also determine the next step in the human rights case and provide guidance on how it will affect the main terrorism- related proceedings against Besigye and Lutale.
